Patricia J. Volland

Director | The New York Academy of Medicine

Patricia J. Volland has revolutionized social work education and field practice with older adults. Recognizing the urgent need for social workers trained to work with older adults, she founded the Social Work Leadership Institute (SWLI) at the New York Academy of Medicine. SWLI has advanced social work’s capacity to improve the lives of older adults and their families through field education and leadership development.

Under Volland’s leadership SWLI partnered with the John A. Hartford Foundation to create the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education.

SWLI also established the Leadership Academy in Aging with the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work. These initiatives have helped train social work deans, educators, and students in more than 70 social work programs in 33 states and have influenced social work education in ways few others can claim.

Volland serves as the senior vice president and the director of SWLI at the New York Academy of Medicine. She also is a renowned author and dedicated social work practitioner.

Award: Distinguished Recent Contributions in Social Work Education Award

Citation: Patricia J. Volland has revolutionized social work education and field practice with older adults.